Changeable-speed gear for feeder-aprons.



No. 810,642. PATENTED JAN. 23, 1906.

W. T. S. GUGHESS.

GHANGEABLE SPEED GEAR FOR FEEDER APRONS. APPLICATION FILED mums, 1905.

UNITED PATENT OFFICE..-

WILLIAM T. S. GUCHESS, OF BATTLEOREEK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO NICHOLS AND SHEPARD COMPANY, OF BATTLEGREEK, MICHIGAN.

CHANGEABLE-SPVEED GEAR FOR FEEDER-APRO NS- Patented Jan. 23, 1906.

Application filed March 23, 1905. Serial No. 251,634-

This invention relates to changeable-speed gearing for the aprons of band-cutters and feeders for threshing-machines, the object of the invention being to provide simple and re liable means for quickly changing the speed of the feeder-apron in accordance with the condition of the grain being fed thereby to the threshing apparatus, it being necessary I for wet or moist grain to be fed to the machine at a lower rate of speed than dry or light grain in order that the threshing-machine may act properly thereon.

While the changeable-speed mechanism hereinafter described is designed for two speeds only, the number of speeds may be increased, and while the invention will be .described as applied to the shaft or roller of the apron of a band-cutter and feeder it will be apparent that the principles of the invention are applicable in many machines and places and under conditions too numerous to need mention herein One of the chief advantages of this invention resides in the simple mechanical expedient, and construction whereby a plurality of connected and simultaneously-movable differential-speed pinions are given a compound shift, or, in other words, shifted simultaneously in two directions, one of which is sub-v stantially transverse to their axis of rotation and the other substantially in line with such axis.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts herein fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the cutter-shaft and feederaprondriving shaft, with the changeable speed gearing associated therewith. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the gearing, taken lengthwise of the stud-shaft. Fig. 4 is a cross-section through the same. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the stud-shaft. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of theeccentrio sleeve.

Like reference-numerals designate corresponding parts in all figures of the drawings. Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the shaft of one of the rollers of the feeder-apron of a band-cutter and feeder for threshing-machines, and 2 the cutter-shaft, said shafts be ing arranged and mounted in the frame of the band-cutter and feeder attachment in the ordinary way. In carrying out the present invention a spur gear-wheel 3 is fastened upon the apron-shaft l at one side of the frame of the band-cutter and feeder and is adapted to be engaged and driven by one or the other of a pair of pinions 5 and 6 of different sizes, which are either integral or fastened together for simultaneous shifting movement. The pinions derive their motion from a sprocketwheel 7 integral therewith or fast thereto, so as to shift therewith, and said sprocket-wheel is driven by a chain 8 from another sprocketwheel 9 on the cutter-shaft 2, the apron-shaft being thus driven from the cutter-shaft. The pinions 5 and 6 and the wheel 7 thus move together as one piece and are j ournaled upon a pinion-shifting element consisting of an eccentric sleeve 10, or, in other words, a sleeve having an eccentric bore for a stationary shaft 11, projecting from and supported by the frame '4. The sleeve 10 has a flange or collar 12 at its inner end, against which the group of pinions and wheel 5, 6, and 7 bear, so that as the sleeve slides outward on the shaft 11 the members 5, 6, and 7 will also be moved outward.

The shaft 11 has a projecting pin or stud 13, which works in a spiral slot 14 in the sleeve 10, as shown, so thatas the sleeve is turned partially around its shaft as far as the pin and slot will permit it is caused to move outward or inward on its shaft at the .same time. At each end of the slot 14 grooves or extensions 14 are formed in the inner wall of the sleeve 10, the said grooves or extensions extending transversely of the sleeve and its bore or at right angles to the axis of the sleeve and substantially parallel to each other. Thus at each end of the throw of the sleeve 10 the latter, together with the pinions 5 and 6, is moved directly toward or away from the teeth of the wheel 3 until the teeth clear each other or mesh properly, as

the case may be. The shaft 11 extends wheel.

across the periphery of the gear wheel 3, and thus as the eccentric sleeve is actuated in the manner described the pinions are correspondingly moved or shifted across the periphery of the gear-wheel, so as to bring one or the other'of the pinions into line with the teeth of the gear-wheel and also toward or away from the axis of the gear-wheel to .cause the teeth of either pinion to be thrown into or out of mesh with the teeth of the gear- Both of the movements described are preferably effected by a hand-wheel 15, connected directly and fast to the sleevelO by a screw 17, which enters a hole 18 in the sleeve. l/Vhen the proper adjustment has been obtained, the sleeve and hand-wheel may be fastened against further movement by a set-screw 16, carried by the hand-wheel and impinging against the stud-shaft 1 1.

To change the speed of the feeder-apron, it is only necessary to loosen the set-screw 16 and turn the hand-wheel 15 in one direction or the other, thus moving one pinion or the other into engagement with the wheel 3, after which the set-screw is again tightened.

Having described the invention, I claim 1. The combination with a driving-shaft and a driven shaft, of means for varying the relative speed of said driven shaft, consisting of a gear-wheel on one shaft, a plurality of different sized pinions on the other shaft adapted to mesh with said gear-wheel and 'a pinion-shifting device which actuatesthe pinions lengthwise and also laterally with respect to their shaft.

2. The combination with a driving-shaft, and a driven shaft, of mechanism for varying the relative speed of said shafts consisting of a gear-wheel on one of said shafts, connected pinions adapted to mesh therewith, and means for moving the pinions across the periphery of the gearwheel and toward or away from the axis of the earwheel'without varyin the position of eit er shaft.

3. T e combination with parallel driving and driven shafts, of mechanism for varying the relative speed of said shafts consisting of a gear-wheel on one of said shafts, connected pinions adapted to mesh therewith, and means for moving the pinions across the periphery of the gear-wheel and toward or away from the axis of the gear-wheel without varying the position of either shaft.

4. The combination with a driving-shaft, and a driven shaft, of mechanism for varying the relative speed of said shafts consisting of a gear-wheel on one of said shafts, connected pinions adapted to mesh therewith, an eccentric on which the pinions are journaled, and means for turning said eccentric and also moving the same endwise to carry the pinions across the periphery of the gear-wheel and also toward or away from the axis of the gear-wheel.

'5. The combination with a driving-shaft, and a driven shaft, of mechanism for varying the relative'speed of said shafts consisting of a gear-wheel on one of said shafts, connected pinions adapted to mesh therewith, an eccentric sleeve on which the pinions are j ournaled,

means for turning the eccentric sleeve on its shaft, and means for causing said sleeve to move lengthwise of its shaft.

6. Thecombination with a driving-shaft, anda driven shaft, of mechanism for varying the relative speed of said shafts consisting of and a driven shaft, of mechanism for varying the relative speed of said shafts consisting of a gear-wheel on one of said shafts, connected pinions adapted to mesh therewith, one at a time, an eccentric sleeve on which the pinions are journaled, a shaft on which the eccentric sleeve turns, a pm on the shaft workmg in a spiral slot 1n the sleeve, meansfor turning said sleeve, and means for holding said sleeve fixed when adjusted.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

I WILLIAM T. S. GUOHESS. Witnesses:

A. H. HULsoHER, FRED. H. WEBB.

a shaft on which the eccentric sleeve turns, 

